Easter Treats

Thinking ahead to Easter, here are 2 great activities you can do with the kids to bring to life the glorious event we are celebrating and enjoy a delicious treat as well. Though I have not made the cookies, I will be making them this year. I have a tradition of making the sweet bread every Easter morning upon our return from sunrise service. It is sooooo yummy!

Empty Tomb Bread

• crescent roll dough or any bread dough will do
• large marshmallows
• butter, 1 stick melted
• cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 375. Unroll dough and separate into sections (or use bread dough separated into small handfuls). Take one large marshmallow and dip it in butter; then roll it around the cinnamon sugar mixture. Wrap the marshmallow completely in the dough, taking care to seal it in. Place into greased muffin tins. Repeat until you have reached the desired amount of rolls. Brush the tops of the rolls with butter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake 10-12 minutes. The marshmallow melts, leaving an empty tomb filled with a sweet gooey sauce inside!

Resurrection Cookies

• 1 cup whole pecans
  
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Plastic baggie
• Wooden spoon, rolling pin
• Tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (Do this before doing anything else.)

• Place nuts in baggie and beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

• Open the vinegar and let everyone smell it. Put 1 teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, all He was given to drink was vinegar. Read John 19:28-30

• Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

• Sprinkle a little salt into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

• So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Sprinkle a little sugar into each person’s hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

• Beat with mixer on high speed for 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity in God’s eyes because our sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18

• Fold in nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60

• Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and TURN THE OVEN OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66

• You’re done! Explain that you cannot eat the cookies tonight, but that you have to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

• The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the third day, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9
  (courtesy of http://realfoodliving.com/recipes/resurrection-cookies)